Administrative Law Fundamentals

This four-part, interactive online course provides junior government lawyers with an overview of key administrative law principles to support sound decision-making. Each module is delivered as a stand-alone one hour CLE and must be completed in this order.

CPD eligibility: 4 points

Course outline

Part one: Administrative law concepts (1 hour)

• Power: constraints and preconditions.
• Discretion: its scope and limits.
• The concept of a decision.
• Consequences of unlawfulness.
• Merits and judicial review.

Part two: Lawful decision-making (1 hour)

• Legal reasonableness.
• Relevant and irrelevant considerations.
• Evidence and knowledge.
• States of mind.
• Procedural fairness.
• The rule against bias.
• Misfeasance in Public Office.
• Susceptibility to judicial review.

Part three: Legislation (1 hour)

• Basic features of legislation.
• Hierarchy of norms: primary and subordinate legislation; other laws; policy.
• Legislative instruments: drafting tips and traps.
• Mechanics of legislative change: commencement, application, transitional and savings provisions.
• Delegated authority.

Part four: Statutory interpretation (1 hour)

• Key principles of statutory interpretation.
• Understanding the scope of statutory powers, functions and duties.
• Case study: an interactive group exercise of working through a statutory interpretation problem.

Cost

$790 excl GST per person.

2024 Course Dates

Coming soon – register your interest using the form below.

Organisational training

This course can also be delivered on site within your Agency or organisation. Please email government.training@sparke.com.au for more details.